Stocking protector and method of making the same



May 24, 1932. w. R. D O WMAN 1,859,915

STOCKING PROTECTOR AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME Filed March 14, 1929 J Nil/lam R- Dow/nan INVENTOR.

A TTORNE Y.

Patented May 24, 1932 STATS P WILLIAM R. BOWMAN, or szmnom riassaonusnrrs STOCKING PROTECTOR AND METHOD 0 MIAKINGTHE'SAME Application filed. March 14,1929. Seria1 No. 346,9 36.

This invention relates to improvements in stocking protectors and a method of making the same.

In this age of low shoes and short dresses,

5 a considerable portion of miladys stockings;

are exposed to the elements and are in constant danger of being spattered by passing vehicles or other pedestrians. It is the purl pose of this invention to provide for such to stockings a light, inexpensive protector which is extremely durable, can be easily put on or removed, and conveniently carried 1n the ordinary handbag. It is a feature of the protector that it can be worn without being 15 conspicuous, in fact it 1s so nearly transparent as to hardly affect the color and figuresof the stocking under it. And when worn over a cotton or Wool stocking it adds asort of sheen which gives the appearance of a 20 silk or rayon stocking.

The protector of the invention is made by dipping a suitable form into a liquid'bath 30 assumes an integral homogeneous structure and the purpose of redipping is to addenough material to givethe protector the desired thickness and strength. When this has been accomplished theprotector is re moved from the form, being dusted with talc or other powder to guard'against adhesion of one portion to another. Either before or after removal the protector can be perforated, V s

' the" solidifiedmaterial on the form;

if desired, for purpose of ventilation.

The protector has the shape of a stocking, is thin, light and substantially transparent, and when pulled over the stocking its elasticity causes it to fit the leg smoothly; It is moisture-proof and can'be wiped clean before While on, the stocking is completely protected indeed the foot and leg of the wearer are keptenremoval or washed afterwards.

tirely dry,

It is intended that the patent shall cover by suitable expression in the appendedclaim be termed, is dusted with .powder and res whatever features of novelty exist, inthe invention disclosed; V t

In the accompanying drawings:

.,,,Figure;1is an elevation of a series offorms whi h have been dippedin theliquidjbathf;

Figure 2 is a'perspective of a tank contain: 7 ingthe liquid bath; i

Figure ,3 is a side view of a form showing a protector thereon ready to belremoved;

Figure 6 isa' perspective showing how the protector-may beWor-n, V .7 i

Referringto the drawings, a, form- 1, which may be made of wood or other suitable ma- V terialand which maybe shaped like a foot and leg or with flattened sides asShOWn in the drawings, is momentarily dipped into a tank 2 ,or other receptacle containing a liquid solution of vulcanized latex. As indicated in Figure 1 several of these forms 1 maybe.

suspended on a rod B and simultaneously dippedand withdrawn.

thin film 4: of the liquid'solutionfadheresto the form which film faftera few minutes exposure 'to'the atmosphere becomes set in the solid state due to the prompt evaporation of the solvents. If preferred'the evap oration can be} hastened by placing ;the

aid inlthe evaporation of the solvents;"- 1 1; 1

'As'soofn as the initialfijlm issuificientlyset,

film-bearing form in afheater,orfidryer'i to 3?? i the fornfij is again; dipped in. thesolution. This imposes another film, on the previous one, both ofwhich become a-seamless homogeneousfwholeas the evaporation continues.

The redi'pping' is repeated as manyI-times'as T necessary to produce the desiredthickness of When th's has'b'een accomplished,'the up- ,per' endjof the formed 'material can be trimmed ofi' to make a smooth edge and this may-be further-finishedandl reinforced by i adding strips '5 of thematerial separately cut fromfsheets prepared'iin a manner likei that above described. Thesestrips adhere to thematerial on the formand rapidly become 'an'integral' part ofitg The material orprotector 6 asit-may' now Figures 4: and'5 are a plan and edge views #9 L V respectively ofthe form of Figure 3'; and

moved from the form. Care should be taken to dust both the outside and inside surfaces of the material as otherwise the undusted surfaces will stick together. Either before or after the protector is removed from the form holes 7 may be cut in the foot portion to provide ventilation although this" precaution is not deemed necessary.

When worn, a protector of the proper size is placed over the ordinary or usual stocking of the wearer. The lengths of the protector may vary to suit different tastes. In Figure 6 the upper end of the protector is indicated in full lines as being just below the knee, and

a longer length is indicated by the dotted lines above the knee.

In cases where the wearer does not wish to wear rubbers, or may be caught out in a storm without them, protectors without holes 7 in the foot portions may be worn with the result that however wet the shoe 8 may become the stockings, legs and feet will remain dry. Later, the shoes can'be'changed and the wearer'willhave experienced no ill effects from their wetting; Primarily, however, the

protector is intended to protect the legs of the stockings from being soiled by the splashing of mud or other dirt upon them. They can be quickly and easily put on and are so light and so nearlytransparent that their I presence is hardly noticeable either by the I wearer or by others. When ones destination is reached, or the danger of soiling is passed,

the protectors can be removed and made into a small, compact bundlereadily storable in a pocket or hand bag until again needed.

Because of the resiliency of the material,

; these protectors can also be used to advantage in the treatment of varicose veins, the mildly constrictive effect of the protector being deemedbeneficial.

I claim as my invention: The method o'f'making' a protector for of the said solidified material to the upper edge of the material on the form and permit- V .Signed at day ofMarch, 1929. i

ting it to bond therewith; thereafter dusting the material at the time of removal from the form.

Sharon, Massachusetts, this 12th 7 WILLIAM R. BOWMAN.

, for 

